Efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on the tongue surface in the management of halitosis - A real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis.

AIM: To evaluate the additional effect of a single session of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on the tongue as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) on most common volatile sulfur-producing microbes such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Treponema denticola (Td) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) on 3rd, 7th and 14th day postoperatively using RT-PCR analysis. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Twenty-four patients of either sex, presented with moderate to severe malodor, detected by a portable breath checker (Tanita®) were considered for the study and assigned to group A & B. Scaling and root planning was performed in both the groups, followed by photodynamic therapy on the tongue surface in group A. One percent methylene blue photosensitizer was applied on the middle and posterior thirds of the dorsum of the tongue and irradiated in continuous mode at six different points for 90 s at each point. RESULTS: A significant reduction in Halimeter scores throughout the study period was observed. A significant reduction in the tongue coating score on 3rd and 7th day and the total count of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) on 7th and 14th day was seen in group A (p ≤ 0.05). However, the mean reduction in Treponema denticola (Td) was non-significant in both the groups but a greater fall in the total count was seen in group A compared to group B on all the days (p ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that photodynamic therapy on the tongue along with scaling and root planing was effective in the reduction of malodour and the total count of bacteria responsible for the same. Long-term clinical trials are required to further substantiate the effectiveness of this technique.

Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of 4% Tulsi Extract (Ocimum sanctum), Fluoridated and Placebo Dentifrices against Gingivitis and Plaque among 14-15 years School Children in Davangere City, India - A Triple Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.

CONTEXT: Gingivitis is the most prevalent periodontal disease among adolescents. The most important factor associated with gingivitis is plaque accumulation. Mechanical plaque control through tooth brushing and mouth rinsing are the most commonly used preventive methods. AIMS: This study aims to assess and compare the antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of 4% Tulsi leaf extract dentifrice, fluoridated and placebo dentifrice (PD) among 14-15-year-old school children in Davangere city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A triple blinded concurrent parallel trial. A sample of 84 participants with a baseline mean gingival index score of at least 1.0 and mean plaque index score of at least 1.5 were randomly selected. Participants were divided into three groups by block randomization and concealed random allocation method was used to distribute dentifrices. Postassessment of plaque and gingivitis was done on the 21st day. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Wilcoxon signed rank test for within group comparison and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA for intergroup comparison was used. RESULTS: Significant reduction in the plaque and gingival scores between the groups was observed on the 21st day (P = 0.001). Maximum reduction in gingivitis (P = 0.001) and dental plaque (P = 0.01) was seen in 4% tulsi dentifrice group compared to PD. CONCLUSION: Antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of 4% tulsi and commercially available fluoridated dentifrice remained the same after 21 days.

Comparative assessment of validity and reliability of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) frequency scale: a cross-sectional survey among adolescents in Davanagere city, Karnataka, India.

AIM: To evaluate reliability and validity of an abbreviated version of the Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire and to analyse the interrelationship between OIDP scores, socio-demographic characteristics and oral health status among high school children in Davanagere city, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted with 900 school children aged between 12 and 15. The subjects were randomly selected from six high schools. Selected subjects completed a survey instrument predesigned to measure subjective oral health indicators including the eight-item OIDP frequency scores. The study participants were clinically examined for dental caries, and they completed a self-administered questionnaire about demographic information and oral behaviours. RESULTS: 44% of the students reported at least one oral impact in the previous 6 months. The reliability of the instrument was measured in terms of Cronbach's alpha for the OIDP frequency. It was found to be 0.81. Eating was the most common performance affected (33%) followed by cleaning teeth (22%) and speaking (20%). The severity of impacts was low for relaxing and carrying out works. CONCLUSION: The OIDP frequency score has acceptable psychometric properties in the context of an oral health survey among high school children of Davanagere city, Karnataka, India.

Validity and reliability of Oral Impacts on Daily Performances Frequency Scale: a cross-sectional survey among adolescents.

AIM: To examine reliability and validity of an abbreviated version of Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) questionnaire and to analyze the interrelationship among OIDP scores, socio-demographic characteristics and oral health status among 12-15 year old adolescents in Davanagere city, Karnataka, India. METHOD: The descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 900 adolescents aged between 12-15 years. The study subjects were randomly selected from six high schools. Selected subjects completed a survey instrument designed to measure subjective oral health indicators including the eight-item OIDP frequency scores. The study participants were clinically examined for dental caries and completed a self-administered questionnaire about demographic information and oral behaviors. RESULTS: 44% of the students reported at least one oral impact in the last six months. Cronbach's alpha for the OIDP frequency items was 0.81. Eating was the most common performance affected (33%) followed by cleaning teeth (22%) and speaking (20%). The severity of impacts was low for relaxing and carrying out works. CONCLUSION: The OIDP frequency score have acceptable psychometric properties in the context of an oral health survey among 12-15 year old adolescents.